How to Hide Columns in Excel – 6 Ways With Easy Steps

For decades, Excel has been a go-to tool for organizing and analyzing data. But when spreadsheets get cluttered, hiding columns lets you focus on what matters without losing important information. This guide walks you through simple, practical ways to hide (and unhide) columns in Excel—perfect for beginners and casual users.

Below, we’ll break down six easy methods to hide columns in Excel, whether you’re working with one column or dozens.

Hide Columns in Excel Using the Context Menu

The simplest way to hide columns is through Excel’s right-click menu. Here’s how:

For a Single Column

1. Select the column: Click the letter at the top (e.g., “B” for column B).
2. Right-click and choose Hide.

   

3. Check the indicator: A double line between columns confirms the hidden column. (Need to undo this? Jump to the “Unhide” section).

For Multiple Columns

1. Adjacent columns: Click the first column letter, hold Shift, then click the last column letter.
2. Non-adjacent columns: Hold Ctrl and click each column letter you want to hide.
3. Right-click any selected column and choose Hide.

Note: Hidden columns aren’t deleted! They’re just tucked away temporarily, which is safer than permanently removing data.

Alternate Methods

If the right-click method isn’t your style, try these alternatives:

1. Using the Keyboard Shortcut

1. Select your columns (single or multiple).
2. Press Ctrl + 0 (zero).

   

2. Using the Excel Ribbon

1. Select your columns.
2. Go to Home → Format → Hide & Unhide → Hide Columns.

   

3. Using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)

For advanced users, VBA automates repetitive tasks. Here’s a quick script to hide columns:

1. Open your sheet and press Alt + F11 to launch the VBA editor.
2. Click Insert → Module.

   

3. Paste this code to hide columns A-C:
   Sub Hide_Columns()
Columns("A:C").Hidden = True
End Sub

   

4. Press Alt + F8, select Hide_Columns, and click Run.

   

4. Using the Group Feature (Adjacent Columns)

Grouping lets you quickly toggle column visibility:

1. Select adjacent columns.

   

2. Press Shift + Alt + Right Arrow to group them.

   

3. Click the – button to collapse or + to expand.

5. Hiding Specific Cells

To hide individual cells (not entire columns):

1. Select the cells, right-click, and choose Format Cells.

   

2. Under Custom, type ;;; and click OK.

   

How to Unhide Hidden Columns

1. Select the columns adjacent to the hidden ones (look for the double-line indicator).
2. Right-click and choose Unhide.